Transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney and popstar Lady Gaga recently found themselves at the center of controversy after collaborating on a joint post for International Women’s Day. The pair posed for a photoshoot together, with Gaga seated on a wooden crate wearing enormous platform heels, while Mulvaney stood behind her. Both donned black attire, with Gaga in a long woolen dress and Mulvaney in a short dress embellished with sequins and tassels, paired with black stockings.
In a video clip shared on Instagram along with the photos, Gaga expressed admiration for Mulvaney, stating, “I’m putting you on my vision board, for life,” to which Mulvaney responded with affection, saying, “I love you.” The photoshoot seemed to be in conjunction with an event featuring Gaga’s cosmetic brand, Haus Labs, and pharmaceutical company Clinuvel.
However, the positive sentiment of the post quickly turned sour as online trolls flooded Mulvaney’s Instagram with derogatory comments, questioning her gender identity and even referring to both Mulvaney and Gaga as “men.” Some commenters expressed outrage, claiming that the post was degrading to “real women,” while others asserted that two men could not represent femininity or womanhood.
Despite the negativity, there were also voices of support and encouragement for Mulvaney, with some commenters expressing pride in her for sharing the stage with a major celebrity like Gaga. Mulvaney gained significant attention on TikTok for documenting her transition, although she became more widely known for her controversial Bud Light promotion.
The Bud Light campaign, which featured limited-edition cans with Mulvaney’s face to commemorate her transition, sparked outrage among conservative groups, leading to a boycott of the brand. The backlash caused a significant drop in Bud Light’s sales and revenue, with some estimating losses of up to $400 million for its parent company, Anheuser-Busch.
Amidst the backlash, Mulvaney shared her feelings of fear and apprehension, admitting to feeling scared to leave the house at the height of the controversy. Additionally, Bud Light workers criticized their company’s leadership for their handling of the situation, accusing them of cowardice and calling for better support for Mulvaney.
Despite facing criticism and backlash, Mulvaney continues to advocate for transgender visibility and acceptance, using her platform to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity. Her collaboration with Lady Gaga serves as a reminder of the importance of representation and solidarity within the LGBTQ+ community, despite the challenges and obstacles they may face.